BMW is to recruit 10 apprentices at its Swindon pressings plant as it looks to ramp up production of body panels for its next-generation Mini. The apprenticeships are part of around 160 being created by the automotive group across its three UK plants – Swindon, its Oxford assembly base and its Hams Hall, Birmingham,...
Sales of new cars motored ahead by more than 10% in 2013 to their best year since 2007, new figures out today show, as consumer confidence rebounded and manufacturers tempted buyers with cheap credit deals. The total of 2.26m vehicle registrations was 10.8% rise on 2012 and means that the UK has now overtaken...
Chiseldon-based motor sport firm Ridgeway Racing Engines has expanded into new premises after securing funding from Barclays. Launched in 2009, the business is owned and managed by Paul Broadway, who previously worked at Swindon Racing Engines for 25 years. It has developed a strong reputation for high-quality engines and parts – demand from the UK...
Some of the most influential business people in the Swindon area have been recognised in today’s New Year’s Honours list. Grand Designs presenter Kevin McCloud, pictured, who chose Swindon for his first pioneering sustainable low-cost housing development, has been honoured for services to sustainable living and energy saving with the MBE. Mr McCloud’s passion...
Business confidence is running at its highest level for more than three years as the recovery gathers pace and firms put austerity behind them at last. Manufacturers in particular are upbeat about their prospects going into the new year, according to the latest Business Trends report by accountants BDO. Optimism among manufacturers, driven by...
Swindon’s recession-hit car industry has received a double dose of good news as the town's two car plants made significant announcements. At Honda, the first production models of its latest made-in-Swindon car – the new Civic Tourer – rolled off the production line at the massive plant on the outskirts of the town last...
The Manufacturing Advisory Service has appointed a supply chain specialist in the South West to ensure that manufacturers gain a significant share of the lucrative opportunities presented by the UK’s burgeoning offshore wind market. Nick Kirsop-Taylor, pictured, will help firms tap into the recently-launched £20m GROW:OffshoreWind service that supports companies looking to break into...
Efforts to get more South West firms to export are being stepped up after new figures showed the first fall in overseas sales from the region for more than a year. Exports by value dropped by 3.3% in the third quarter to £3.32bn, sparked by a fall-off in h a fall in trade within...
Innovative medical group Corin has secured a significant re-finance package that provides working capital to invest in its future growth. The Cirencester-based group will use the funding to take its latest state-of-the-art reconstructive orthopaedic devices onto the global market. The re-financing was arranged by moving its banking facility to Barclays. The firm, established in...
The West of England’s strength in the automotive and aerospace sectors is creating strong conditions for smaller firms in their supply chains with most expecting to increase staffing and investment over the next three months. According to the latest Manufacturing Outlook survey published today by manufacturers’ organisation EEF and accountancy and business advisory firm...
